Are you thinking of this one by jetinteriorguy?
- what stands out to me in his suggestion is the high capacity and double action. Ruger LCR has an 8 shot 22LR, which can hold so many because the cylinder walls and distance between charging holes can be so thin/small given a low pressure round. Double Action is a very strong point to consider compared to any rifle unless the one you suggested is a semi-auto, for speed of follow up shots.
But if it came down to purchasing a new firearm geared towards home defense, I don't think many would suggest reaching for a rimfire or 22 mag as a first choice. By your post it seems like low price of the Sears/Winchester was a strong factor, not necessarily terminal performance.
I don't think 22 mag has the same performance as 9mm. Smaller diameter even if penetration in calibrated gelatin tests would be the same. Otherwise, the police departments and military should start saving money and buying 22 mag then. Well it's possible...
One thing important to remember is that you cannot assume you will have all the time a given scenario requires. You may not be woken up by a pounding at the door. In fact you may be woken up by being struck /stabbed first while sleeping. I would place dealing with an extremely close quarters emergency as first priority. As in the perpetrator is already in your room, already upon you. So I suggest something easy to access/secure, easy to wield, and can produce a high rate of fire from point shooting or contact distance, one handed. If the situation is more favorable (or less unfavorable), and you find you have the luxury of a threat that is still down the hallway or at the door, then great. But I suspect practice with 44 specials will get you more accuracy than you could ever want across an apartment hallway.
So of your choices, my vote is 44 special from the revolver.